UCD Campus and local residents
“As Dr Hugh Brady wallows in self-praise at the appointment of the prominent German Architect to redesign the UCD campus, he still refuses to meet with his neighbours for the other unannounced UCD Development,” according to the former Lord Mayor of Dublin Councillor Dermot Lacey.

“The UCD Authorities last year submitted a planning application for a massive development of 500 apartments, office complex and various ancillary buildings. The site notices for these developments were placed about a mile away from the residents of the houses most affected. While Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Council granted permission, residents appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanala and won.”

A new planning application has been submitted which is also being vigorously contested by residents.

Roll Out Of Fortnightly Green Bin Service
Cllr. Kevin Humphreys welcomes the roll-out of a fortnightly green bin collection service that started in June 2007. Householders receiving the fortnightly service may also put plastic bottles in their green bins.

“The Labour Party has worked tirelessly to improve the recycling services for Dublin and welcomes this announcement, this is another example of Labour delivering for Dublin” says Cllr. Kevin Humphreys

It is proposed that in the region of 85,000 households in the city will receive the fortnightly service by the end of 2007 and that all remaining households will be provided with the service in the first half of 2008

New Flood Protection to Protect a Thousand Homes
In 2002 Ringsend suffered a serious flood, for the last five years Cllr. Kevin Humphreys and local activists have campaigned for increased flood protection along the River Dodder.

Speaking before a recent council meeting, Labour Cllr. Kevin Humphreys told residents, “I’ve seen first-hand the destructive power of flooding, not only are people’s homes destroyed but also their peace of mind. It has taken five years for the OPW to agree to carry out the flood protection upgrade. When this work is completed, residents of Ringsend and Sandymount won’t be nervous every time there is heavy rain and a high tide.”

Minister for Environment must respond to Council’s incinerator statement
Sinn Féin’s Dublin Spokesperson on the Environment, Cllr. Daithí Doolan, has expressed deep disappointment that Dublin City Council management are going to push ahead with the proposed incinerator for Poolbeg Peninsula.

Daithí Doolan said, “This will be greeted by the residents and environmental campaigners here in Dublin South East with both anger and disappointment. The officials of this City Council must remember that Councillors have continued to vote against this incinerator. The proposed incinerator is unworkable as much as it is unwanted. Those of us still committed to winning the campaign must now redouble our efforts and ensure that the Minister hears our voices loud and clear.”

Dublin City Council Honours Dr. T. K. Whitaker
A pedestrian square in Sir John Rogerson’s Quay will be named after one of the most influential architects on modernising the Irish Economy.

‘Whitaker Square’ will be located close to the new ERSI (Economic and Social Research Institute) headquarters. “Dr. Whitaker was instrumental in the foundation of the ERSI and it is fitting that he should be honoured in the new business heartland in the docks,” said Cllr. Kevin Humphreys.

T.K. Whitaker is best known for his leadership in planning and modernising Ireland’s stagnant economy in the late 1950s.

Gormley welcomes RAPID funding of €66,000 for Playgrounds
John Gormley TD, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government welcomed funding of €66,000 towards the development of a new playground or the refurbishment of an existing playground in Dublin’s South East Inner City.

The funding is being made available under the RAPID Playground Scheme. “The RAPID Playground Scheme 2007/2008 is the latest of a group of RAPID schemes which support small scale local actions designed to help meet the needs of the local community. I am particularly pleased that this funding will improve children’s facilities,” said Minister Gormley.